Call to Action:
This session is designed not only to inform but to equip attendees with pragmatic steps they can implement immediately within their own districts and projects. By reframing purchasing and planning decisions through the lens of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), facility leaders, architects, and planners can take measurable action toward healthier, more sustainable, and fiscally responsible schools. This presentation is based on research conducted by experienced researchers that was accepted into the APPA CFaR (Center for Facilities Research).

Three immediate steps attendees can take post-session:

1. Integrate TCO Metrics into Early Design Decisions – Begin projects by asking, “What is the cost per square foot to maintain this material over its lifecycle?” Document these metrics in design guidelines to shift conversations beyond first cost.
2. Engage Cross-Functional Teams in Procurement – Involve operations, custodial staff, and finance leaders in product selection to ensure lifecycle implications—like the fact that 74% of custodial time is spent on flooring maintenance—are part of the decision-making process.
3. Standardize on Low-TCO Materials and Require Accountability – Select materials that lower long-term costs, then require manufacturers to provide maintenance training, life-cycle performance references, and follow-up support to protect asset value. Attendee Action: Leave this session prepared to embed TCO into your daily practice—transforming how your schools plan, build, and maintain spaces. The call is simple: shift from short-term fixes to long-term stewardship while leveraging the health aspects of maintenance.

Abstract:
K-12 schools represent more than 8.1 billion square feet of space with a $2.79 trillion replacement value, yet national funding falls short by over $85 billion annually. The 2021 State of Our Schools report shows a $27.6 billion maintenance gap and a $57.4 billion capital investment gap, leaving districts unable to keep pace with facility renewal. This funding crisis directly impacts students, as research links poor building conditions to up to 17% lower academic performance and higher absenteeism. This session, based on the APPA CFaR036-17 research project on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in flooring, demonstrates how moving beyond “first cost” to lifecycle value provides facility leaders with a framework to align short-term decisions with long-term outcomes. Flooring is used as the case study—where 74% of a custodian’s daily activities are tied to flooring maintenance—but the principles apply to any product selection. Attendees will explore research findings, real-world examples, and pragmatic implementation strategies for integrating TCO into design standards, procurement practices, and facility operations. Most importantly, participants will leave with actionable tools and questions they can immediately use to embed TCO into their best practices—driving healthier schools, smarter budgets, and sustainable outcomes.   

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the findings of the APPA CFaR research on TCO and how flooring serves as a model for lifecycle decision-making.
2. Identify the key cost drivers in K-12 facilities—from maintenance to renewal—and translate them into procurement and design criteria.
3. Evaluate the hidden impacts of flooring decisions, including health, cognition, and custodial workload, to advocate for long-term investment.
4. Implement TCO practices by embedding lifecycle metrics into design guidelines, procurement processes, and vendor accountability standards.